From DNA To Proteins: Transcription Flashcards
Pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA)
The immediate products of transcription in eukaryotic cells. These are modified after transcription to become mRNA.
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
RNA molecule that is a structural component of the ribosome.
Ribozyme
RNA molecule that can act as a biological catalyst.
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
RNA molecule that carries the coding instructions for a polypeptide chain from DNA to a ribosome.
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
RNA molecule that carries an amino acid to the ribosome and transfers it to a growing polypeptide chain in translation.
Transcription Unit
Sequence of nucleotides in DNA that encodes a single RNA molecule and the sequences necessary for its transcription; normally contains a promoter, an RNA-coding sequence, and a terminator.
Requirements Of Transcription
A DNA template containing a promoter, ribonucleotide triphosphates, and RNA polymerase.
Template Strand
The DNA strand that is used as a template during transcription. The RNA synthesized during transcription is complementary and antiparallel to this DNA strand.
Non-Template Strand
The DNA strand that is complementary to the template strand; not used as a template during transcription.
Downstream
Towards the 3’ end.
RNA-Coding Region
Sequence of DNA nucleotides that is copied into an RNA molecule.
Promoter
DNA sequence that the transcription apparatus recognizes and binds to in order to initiate transcription; indicates the direction of transcription, which of the two DNA strands is to be read as the template, and the starting point of transcription.
Terminator
Sequence of DNA nucleotides that terminates transcription.
Upstream
Towards the 5’ end.
Elongation Stage Of Transcription
The addition of nucleotides to the mRNA strand during transcription after initiation.
Initiation Stage Of Transcription
Beginning of transcription and occurs when RNA polymerase binds to the promoter region of a gene.
Transcription Apparatus
Complex of transcription factors, RNA polymerase, and other proteins that assemble on the promoter and are capable of initiating transcription.
Termination Stage Of Transcription
The end of transcription where RNA polymerase releases the DNA template and the newly synthesized RNA.
Core Enzyme
Five subunits of most bacterial RNA polymerases that, during transcription, catalyze the elongation of the RNA molecule by the addition of RNA nucleotides.
RNA polymerase
Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template during transcription.